Best Special Need Schools in East Sussex

Bowden House School is a welcoming and secure boarding school for boys aged 9-18. With a student-teacher ratio of 2:1, our dedicated staff provide exceptional support to meet the individual, holistic needs of our pupils. We have maintained a good quality of education with a broad curriculum and strengths in art and expressive arts. Our well-behaved pupils make good progress in mathematics and writing. Our effective safeguarding arrangements ensure the safety of all students.

Downs View Special School is an outstanding all-through school in Brighton and Hove, offering education and support for children aged 3-19 with a range of special educational needs. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1 and an overall grade of A from Snobe, the school provides a welcoming and safe environment for its students. The school excels in its curriculum, teaching quality, and behaviour management, ensuring that every child receives a personalised education. Additionally, the school has excellent resources and a strong focus on communication and interaction skills. Downs View Special School is committed to the holistic development of its students, providing them with the best opportunities for success.

Hill Park School is an outstanding all-through school in Brighton and Hove. With a student teacher ratio of 7:1, the school provides a highly tailored curriculum to meet the specific needs of pupils, including those with visual impairments, speech and language difficulties, autism, and other special educational needs. The school focuses strongly on personal development and emotional literacy, ensuring a safe and positive environment for all students. Although the extra-curricular offer has been restricted due to COVID-19, the school maintains its commitment to providing an excellent education with skilled staff who know their pupils well. With an outstanding Ofsted rating and positive feedback from parents and students, Hill Park School is a great choice for families seeking inclusivity, high academic standards, and exceptional leadership and management.

Bevendean Primary School and Nursery is a vibrant and inclusive school located in Brighton and Hove. With a student teacher ratio of 16:1 and a strong focus on academic achievement, the school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 3-11. The school offers a range of resources, dedicated teachers, and excellent leadership, ensuring a good overall effectiveness and high-quality teaching. With an impressive average score in maths and reading, as well as a high percentage of students achieving gcse 4 or higher, Bevendean Primary School and Nursery is committed to helping every child succeed.

Saxon Mount School is a secondary school located in Hastings, South East. With an outstanding leadership and management, it offers a safe and engaging curriculum. The school has exemplary behavior of pupils and provides impartial careers guidance. However, there are areas for improvement, such as inconsistent challenge in some subjects and post-16 provision plans still in infancy.

Hove Park School and Sixth Form Centre is a co-ed secondary school located in Brighton and Hove. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment for students aged 11-18. The school has a strong focus on academics, with an overall grade of B and an A- in both academics and teaching. The Ofsted report highlights the good leadership, achievement of pupils, and quality of teaching. With a diverse student population, including students with special educational needs, Hove Park School and Sixth Form Centre is committed to providing a well-rounded education for all students.

Willingdon Community School is a successful secondary school that prioritizes personal excellence. With strong relationships between staff and pupils, the school fosters ambition, compassion, courtesy, and honesty. Their focus on academic achievement is accompanied by the development of fundamental moral principles. The school has maintained a good Ofsted rating and outstanding behavior and safety of pupils. However, there is a need for improved outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and literacy in certain subjects. Overall, Willingdon Community School strives to provide a quality education while instilling values that will benefit students throughout their lives.

Priory School is a secondary school in Lewes, South East, offering a high standard of education to students aged 11-16. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, our dedicated staff provide strong pastoral care and maintain high academic standards. Our innovative curriculum challenges high-attaining pupils and supports lower-attaining pupils, ensuring all students are well-prepared for their studies. We have a good overall effectiveness rating from Ofsted, with outstanding achievement of pupils and quality of teaching. Our focus on safeguarding and staying safe online ensures a safe and nurturing environment for all students.

Longhill High School is a secondary school located in Rottingdean, South East. With a student teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a good level of education and strong support for students with SEN. The school has improved significantly since its last inspection, with inspirational leadership and effective teaching in most subjects. The curriculum and enrichment activities promote overall development well. Longhill High School aims to foster resilient, confident individuals who will make a positive contribution in the world.

The Hastings Academy is a rapidly improving secondary school located in Hastings, South East. With exceptional leadership and a strong moral purpose, the school provides good support and challenge from the trust. Students are proud to belong and make good progress academically. With effective safeguarding procedures in place, parents can feel confident in their child's safety and welfare. Although there are small pockets of less effective teaching, overall the school offers a good learning environment. The school aims to address areas for improvement, such as boys' reading and writing skills, and ensuring all students are challenged to reach their full potential.

Heathfield Community College is a secondary school located in Heathfield and Waldron, South East. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students aged 11-18. With a good overall grade by Ofsted and excellent academic results, including 63% of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs, parents can feel confident in their child's education at Heathfield Community College.

Hailsham Community College is a good all-through school located in Hailsham, South East. With a strong commitment to providing quality education, the school has effective systems in place to support and improve areas of the school. The leadership team is dedicated to the success of their pupils, ensuring they are well-supported and challenged. The school places a strong emphasis on teaching and learning and works tirelessly to improve attendance. While there are areas for improvement, such as mixed progress for the most able pupils, Hailsham Community College maintains a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive.

Robertsbridge Community College is a secondary school located in Salehurst and Robertsbridge, South East. With a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, the school provides a co-ed learning environment for students aged 11-16. The school has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted in areas such as overall effectiveness, leadership, achievement of pupils, and quality of teaching. With a focus on safety and resources, Robertsbridge Community College offers a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Grove Park School is an all-through special school located in Crowborough, South East. With a student teacher ratio of 5:1, our dedicated staff provide a high level of individualized support for students aged 4-19 with a wide range of learning needs and disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders. We offer a rich curriculum, practical learning opportunities, and effective safeguarding measures. Our school has been rated Good by Ofsted, with good progress and achievement of pupils. While we strive to improve attendance and refine progress monitoring systems, we are committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment for all our students.

Cottesmore St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a caring and high-achieving primary school in Brighton and Hove. With a dedicated staff and effective safeguarding policies, the school provides a rich and inspiring curriculum. Students consistently make good progress and are well-prepared for their next stage of education. Although there are areas for improvement in mathematics and phonics, the school overall maintains a good standard of education.

The St Leonards Academy is a secondary school located in Hastings, South East England. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment for students aged 11-16. Offering a co-ed education, the academy prioritizes personal development and has a good track record in this area according to the Ofsted report. While the school requires improvement in certain aspects, it offers a wide range of resources and has a strong emphasis on student safety. It also caters to students with special educational needs, including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Physical Disabilities. The St Leonards Academy strives for academic improvement and aims to equip students with the necessary skills for future success.

Torfield School is an outstanding primary school located in Hastings. With exceptional leadership and management, the school provides excellent support and challenge to its pupils. The school's focus on personal development and welfare ensures that students thrive both academically and personally. With outstanding teaching and learning, Torfield School delivers exceptional progress and achievement. Parents can have confidence in the school's strong governance and commitment to student success.

The Eastbourne Academy is a secondary school located in Eastbourne, South East England. With a student teacher ratio of 14:1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students aged 11-16. Offering a range of SEN support, including Speech, Language and Communication, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Social, Emotional and Mental Health, and Moderate Learning Difficulty, the school ensures that every student receives the necessary support for their individual needs. With a Good rating for personal development and a focus on student well-being, The Eastbourne Academy prioritizes the holistic development of its students. Although the school requires improvement in some areas according to Ofsted, it offers a safe learning environment with adequate resources and dedicated teachers. With 46% of students achieving GCSE grades 4 or higher and a strong emphasis on improving academic outcomes, The Eastbourne Academy aims to equip its students with the skills and knowledge they need for future success.

Bexhill High Academy is a co-educational secondary school located in Rother, South East. Founded in 2012, the school offers a safe and inclusive environment for students aged 11-16. With a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, the school focuses on providing individual attention and support to its diverse student body. Bexhill High Academy promotes personal development and offers support for students with special educational needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder. While the school's overall effectiveness and academic performance require improvement according to the recent Ofsted report, the school prides itself on its commitment to ensuring a good learning experience for all students.

West St Leonards Primary Academy is a co-educational primary school located in Hastings, South East. With an outstanding leadership and management team, the school provides excellent early years provision and ensures high quality teaching and learning. The school prides itself on its exceptional personal development, behavior, and welfare of its students. With a strong focus on academic achievement and outstanding exam results, West St Leonards Primary Academy offers a nurturing environment for children aged 5-11 years.